Christian Church 24.7 Ministry Community Group
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Just prior to this Scripture text, Stephen had just been stoned to death. He was the first martyr of the New Testament Church. We also see the man Saul of Tarsus, arrive on the scene. Today's message focuses on the Early church, it's opposition and how we still deal with these same oppositions today.
Text Scripture: " And Saul, was consenting to his death. And at that time there was great persecution against the church which was a Jerusalem. and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house and haling men and women, committed them to prison".
The Scripture mention was probably written about 62 a.d. The Apostles had been preaching and Christianity had started to grow and due to its growth, up steps a man who tries to destroy Christianity forever. His name is Saul of Tarsus. Here are 3 things I wish to show you about the Early Church.
1. It had opposition, outside the church:
a. The Sadducees in Acts Chpt. 4: 1-2
Peter had just healed a crippled man and whey they marveled at this miracle, Peter used the opportunity to preach the gospel to them but, when he started preaching about the resurrection from the dead, the Sadducees got upset. They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and they had Peter and the other held for questioning.
b, The Pharisees: If you read chpt 7, you find that Stephen was stoned for preaching about the Pharisees forefathers killing the prophets and also for betraying and killing Jesus. Stephen was not a woose. He was a bold preacher. If you look at Chpt 7 vs 52-53 He called the Pharisees, stiff necked (bull headed and proud), he said they were uncircumcised in their hears and ears (which meant that they refused to believe that Christ was the one the prophets of old wrote about Him, calling Him "The Just One".
c. The King: Acts Chpt 12: vs 1-2 . Herod the King, killed James with a sword.! These were just some of the beginnings of the church's opposition.
Now, let's take a look around us for a minute.
a. The bible taken out of schools in 1962.
b. Prayer taken out of schools
c. Pledge of Allegiance take out of schooks ( because the word God is in it)
d. 10 Commandments taken off of walls in public buildings and court houses
e. No Nativity scenes can be placed on City, State or Federal property
f. No Baccalaurette service allowed to be held on school grounds
g, No apparel like religious t-shirts can be worn in school
In the last 40 years, this country has slowly removed God, Christ, and His word out of about everything. Is it any wonder that we are facing some of the Crisis that we are in the country? You cannot shake your fist in the face of God and say, "we don't believe in you, Jesus never was and, Christianity is a hoax.". Judgment is coming. America had better Wake Up. It's being Shaken Up, Now!!!!!!
11 .It had persecutions within the Church: Acts 1 vs 6-7
The disciples wanted to know when the restoration of Israel would be. They were no totally sure of what their mission was. They were confused about what was to happen next. Let's take a look now at the beginning of the church itself. Who was the Head of the Church? Christ was.
a. Jesus spent 3 years teaching His apostles about God, about His own mission, being betrayed, crucified and His resurrection. They didn't understand this either, until His resurrection.
b. He was betrayed by one of the chosen 12.
c. He was tried in as a criminal in 2 different courts.
1. a Religious court
2, a Roman Govt, court
d. He received the death sentence and was crucified between 2 other criminals.
Some members of the early church were insincere believers and lying deceivers. Remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira? Acts 5 verses 1-11. Some were racially prejudiced. Remember Peter separated himself from the Gentiles when the Jewish leaders came to visit and the Apostle Paul confronted him about it in Galations Chpt. 2 vs-11-13?
I read sometime ago that is it very possible that 85% of professing Christians are not saved!!!!! That's scary!!!
People join churches for many different reasons in the present time.
a. Their friends attend there so they join
b. The preacher there preaches "feel good" messages
c. The preacher preaches "prosperity messages"
d, They "want to crow where they go" (Biggest church in town), etc/
e. The Preacher don't preach very long and we get to the restaurant before the crowd gets there"
It's s shame but, many church member don't know what they believe, why the believe it or what their church stands for. We should be proud of our churches, if they preach the True Gospel.
Don't be a sower of discord among the brethren. If you are not happy with the church you attend, then find one that you are satisfied with. Do not tear down what others have strived to build up!
111. Yet, the Church was Triumphant!:
a. They realized the love of Christ for them and their love for Christ
b. They were obedient to His command to "preach the Gospel"
c/ They rejoiced in the calling on their lives to spread His message and see the results.
d. They had faith in ultimate victory by winning others to Christ.
Thank God, this early Church did not give up regardless of where the persecution came from. They were obedient to Christ's command and because of their faithfulness, we today have what we have including God's written word and Christianity is still alive in the hearts of many peoples of the world today.
We as Christians, should thank God. everyday for His Plan, His Purpose, His Provision and His Promises.
Oldbiker
Text Scripture: " And Saul, was consenting to his death. And at that time there was great persecution against the church which was a Jerusalem. and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial and made great lamentation over him. As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house and haling men and women, committed them to prison".
The Scripture mention was probably written about 62 a.d. The Apostles had been preaching and Christianity had started to grow and due to its growth, up steps a man who tries to destroy Christianity forever. His name is Saul of Tarsus. Here are 3 things I wish to show you about the Early Church.
1. It had opposition, outside the church:
a. The Sadducees in Acts Chpt. 4: 1-2
Peter had just healed a crippled man and whey they marveled at this miracle, Peter used the opportunity to preach the gospel to them but, when he started preaching about the resurrection from the dead, the Sadducees got upset. They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead and they had Peter and the other held for questioning.
b, The Pharisees: If you read chpt 7, you find that Stephen was stoned for preaching about the Pharisees forefathers killing the prophets and also for betraying and killing Jesus. Stephen was not a woose. He was a bold preacher. If you look at Chpt 7 vs 52-53 He called the Pharisees, stiff necked (bull headed and proud), he said they were uncircumcised in their hears and ears (which meant that they refused to believe that Christ was the one the prophets of old wrote about Him, calling Him "The Just One".
c. The King: Acts Chpt 12: vs 1-2 . Herod the King, killed James with a sword.! These were just some of the beginnings of the church's opposition.
Now, let's take a look around us for a minute.
a. The bible taken out of schools in 1962.
b. Prayer taken out of schools
c. Pledge of Allegiance take out of schooks ( because the word God is in it)
d. 10 Commandments taken off of walls in public buildings and court houses
e. No Nativity scenes can be placed on City, State or Federal property
f. No Baccalaurette service allowed to be held on school grounds
g, No apparel like religious t-shirts can be worn in school
In the last 40 years, this country has slowly removed God, Christ, and His word out of about everything. Is it any wonder that we are facing some of the Crisis that we are in the country? You cannot shake your fist in the face of God and say, "we don't believe in you, Jesus never was and, Christianity is a hoax.". Judgment is coming. America had better Wake Up. It's being Shaken Up, Now!!!!!!
11 .It had persecutions within the Church: Acts 1 vs 6-7
The disciples wanted to know when the restoration of Israel would be. They were no totally sure of what their mission was. They were confused about what was to happen next. Let's take a look now at the beginning of the church itself. Who was the Head of the Church? Christ was.
a. Jesus spent 3 years teaching His apostles about God, about His own mission, being betrayed, crucified and His resurrection. They didn't understand this either, until His resurrection.
b. He was betrayed by one of the chosen 12.
c. He was tried in as a criminal in 2 different courts.
1. a Religious court
2, a Roman Govt, court
d. He received the death sentence and was crucified between 2 other criminals.
Some members of the early church were insincere believers and lying deceivers. Remember the story of Ananias and Sapphira? Acts 5 verses 1-11. Some were racially prejudiced. Remember Peter separated himself from the Gentiles when the Jewish leaders came to visit and the Apostle Paul confronted him about it in Galations Chpt. 2 vs-11-13?
I read sometime ago that is it very possible that 85% of professing Christians are not saved!!!!! That's scary!!!
People join churches for many different reasons in the present time.
a. Their friends attend there so they join
b. The preacher there preaches "feel good" messages
c. The preacher preaches "prosperity messages"
d, They "want to crow where they go" (Biggest church in town), etc/
e. The Preacher don't preach very long and we get to the restaurant before the crowd gets there"
It's s shame but, many church member don't know what they believe, why the believe it or what their church stands for. We should be proud of our churches, if they preach the True Gospel.
Don't be a sower of discord among the brethren. If you are not happy with the church you attend, then find one that you are satisfied with. Do not tear down what others have strived to build up!
111. Yet, the Church was Triumphant!:
a. They realized the love of Christ for them and their love for Christ
b. They were obedient to His command to "preach the Gospel"
c/ They rejoiced in the calling on their lives to spread His message and see the results.
d. They had faith in ultimate victory by winning others to Christ.
Thank God, this early Church did not give up regardless of where the persecution came from. They were obedient to Christ's command and because of their faithfulness, we today have what we have including God's written word and Christianity is still alive in the hearts of many peoples of the world today.
We as Christians, should thank God. everyday for His Plan, His Purpose, His Provision and His Promises.
Oldbiker
Acts 8
1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.